UFC Undisputed 3 provides a robust fighter creation system that allows you to build any type of UFC fighter you can imagine. It’s all very straightforward, but let’s review the more important aspects of creating a fighter.
Weight Classes
The weight class you choose to fight in determines your fighter’s physical size and maximum attribute restrictions—this is clearly shown in the lower menu while cycling through the different weight classes.
In general, heavier weights allow for higher Strength and Cardio scores, while lighter weights grant higher maximum Speed and Footwork values. Your weight class also determines the competition you’ll face when you reach the UFC.
While it’s possible to change weight classes during your career, you can only change to a class that’s directly above or below the weight class you choose now.
A middleweight can move up to light heavyweight or drop down to welterweight, for example, but he can’t ever fight in heavyweight, lightweight, or any other weight class.
AI Fight Styles
This option dictates the manner in which your fighter behaves when the computer controls him during a fight. Don’t worry if you aren’t sure which AI fight style to choose—you can change this setting at any time during your career.
This decision really only matters if you plan to simulate your fighter’s career—it doesn’t factor in when you control your fighter directly during his career fights.
Base Styles
Selecting your fighter’s base style is the most important decision you’ll make during the creation process, because a fighter’s base style determines his initial attribute and skill scores, along with his three starting technique moves.
In addition, the base style you choose will affect how easy or difficult it will be for your fighter to master different technique moves over the course of his career.
The following list reveals the starting stats that receive a welcomed five-point bonus for each base style:
Boxing: Strength, Footwork, Standing Strikes (Offense and Defense)
Karate : Speed, Cardio, Standing Kicks (Offense and Defense)
Muay Thai : Strength, Footwork, Clinch Striking (Offense and Defense)
Kickboxing : Strength, Speed, Standing Strikes (Offense), Standing Kicks (Offense)
Wrestling : Strength, Cardio, Takedown (Offense and Defense)
Judo: Cardio, Footwork, Clinch Grapple (Offense and Defense)
Sambo : Speed, Cardio, Clinch Grapple (Offense), Submission (Offense)
Jiu-Jitsu : Strength, Cardio, Submission (Offense and Defense)
MMA: Many stats gain a one-, two-, or three-point bonus.
Career Tutorials
The first time you play through Career Mode, you’re required to complete three quick and easy tutorials that test your general knowledge of how to fight in MMA.
Watch the three tutorial movies for a quick refresher course on the fundamentals of the standing, clinch, and ground games, then complete a brief skill test for each.
Score big on all three skill tests to add five bonus points to many of your fighter’s attributes and skills!
Stand-Up Tutorial
This one’s a breeze—just unleash fluid strike combos from a standing position to batter your low-skill training partner and fill the onscreen progress meter. Fill the meter faster by mixing in kicks and body shots, and also by stringing together powerful combos.
Rock and drop your partner for bonus points as well. You’ve got a full five minutes to work, but see if you can end this exercise early by quickly filling up the progress meter with relentless standing strikes!
Clinch Tutorial
Work your training partner over in the clinch to fill the progress meter in this more challenging tutorial. Hold the Technique Modifier trigger while attempting to clinch, and you’ll transition to either the Single Collar Tie clinch or the Muay Thai Clinch (depending on your fighter’s base style).
Press your partner against the cage afterward and then elbow and knee him relentlessly to rack up points.
Prevent your partner’s transition attempts if you’re able, or simply pummel to regain position if they manage to escape. Just keep striking and transitioning in the clinch, and watch as your progress meter fills!
Ground Tutorial
Perform transitions and batter your training partner with strikes on the ground to ace this easy test.
Simply bring your training partner to the mat with a takedown (either while standing up or from the clinch), then begin to score points by striking and transitioning to more dominant positions.
Rock your rival to score big points, and if you’ve got time to spare, go for a daring submission!
Difficulty Test (Sparring)
After you’ve completed all three tutorial tests, you’re required to spar with your partner one last time to evaluate your overall skill level. In fact, it doesn’t actually matter how you perform here at all, because you’re free to play at any difficulty you like.
But the more skill you showcase during this final tutorial session, the higher the difficulty level the game will suggest for you.